Governor hopeful Berwick talks about health care, education, casinos

Saturday

Mar 22, 2014 at 3:21 AMMar 23, 2014 at 12:13 PM

By Brian BensonDaily News Staff

FRAMINGHAM – Don Berwick says health care reform in Massachusetts and nationwide has brought improvements, and the Bay State could be ready to lead the next wave of reforms."Health care is a human right," said Berwick, one of several Democratic candidates for governor. "I deeply believe it’s a human right."Berwick, who spent time in the Obama administration working on early implementation of the Affordable Care Act, met with Daily News editors this week on a range of topics, including health care.While reform has led to significant improvements, the system is still complex and has high administrative costs, he said. Those problems could be reduced through a system where there could be multiple plans but payments would be merged into a single structure."I think this state could be ready for it," he said. "This is not a simple idea but I think the stage is set."By saving money on health care, which comprised in 2013 around 43 percent of the state budget, leaders can invest in other areas such as education and transportation, Berwick said."There’s this bleeding of resources into the health care system," he said.He said he believes costs can be cut without affecting care.As a pediatrician, Berwick said he is concerned with keeping children healthy. But that extends beyond just healing and preventing medical ailments to ensuring the air and water is clean, fostering a strong education system and other priorities."Schools matter, roads matter, equal rights matter, minimum wage matters," he said.He suggested creating an early years collaborative that every community could join. The collaborative would ensure young children’s needs are met, whether it be food, extra academic support or other assistance."What will happen is best practices will emerge," that can be used elsewhere in the state, he said.Berwick said he would consider legalizing marijuana, depending on how that effort fares in other states.He said is opposed to casinos, arguing small businesses are hurt and that incidents of drunk driving rise after a casino comes to an area.The state needs revenue and jobs, but casinos are not the correct way to achieve those goals, he said.Berwick said it is time for bold, progressive leadership.Serving as governor is "an opportunity I don’t want to miss."This is one in a series of articles profiling gubernatorial candidates.Brian Benson can be reached at 508-626-3964 or bbenson@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on twitter @bbensonmwdn.